When I got up today the sun was shining and I decided to wade through the remaining snow to do, well OK, start, a big job on two of my roses. After much research, I’ve decided that the way to take care of these two robust bushes, that have taken over much more space than they should, is a severe pruming. I intend to identify four strong, healthy canes on each bush, not the oldest ones and take out everything else to the ground. The blossoms grow on last year’s laterals so I will have to be careful not to damage those on the canes that I want to keep.
The rose on the right, shown first, with the larger canes and a more open habit is “City of York”. The crazy wildish rose on the left and over the door arbor is “Seven Sisters”.[oqeygallery id=7]